Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls are your new go-to for a quick, incredibly flavorful, and customizable weeknight dinner that rivals your favorite takeout. This recipe offers a simple yet sensational way to enjoy perfectly cooked salmon with a creamy, spicy kick.
Key Ingredients for Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls
- 1.5 lbs salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- For Serving:
- 2 cups cooked rice (sushi rice, brown rice, or white rice)
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
How to Make Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls
Get ready for a weeknight win! These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls are incredibly easy to assemble, bursting with flavor, and surprisingly quick to prepare, taking under 30 minutes from start to finish. The star is the tender, flaky salmon coated in a luxuriously creamy and spicy bang bang sauce, piled high over fluffy rice with a delightful crunch from fresh veggies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon bite-sized pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving a crispy exterior. Place the salmon in a medium bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to ensure each piece is lightly coated.
- Cook the Salmon: Heat a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook the salmon in batches. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork, but still remain moist inside. Remove the cooked salmon from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the salmon is cooking or immediately after, prepare the bang bang sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey or maple syrup, rice vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the sriracha for your desired level of heat, or the honey for sweetness.
- Combine Salmon and Sauce: Add the cooked salmon pieces back into the bowl with the bang bang sauce. Gently toss to coat each piece of salmon thoroughly in the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among your serving bowls. Arrange the shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced cucumber over the rice. This creates a vibrant and healthy base.
- Add the Star: Spoon the saucy, crispy bang bang salmon bites generously over the fresh vegetables and rice in each bowl.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the bowls with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and a good pinch of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra zesty finish.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls
You’ll absolutely adore these Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls for so many reasons, starting with that irresistible crispy-tender salmon coated in a luscious, addictive bang bang sauce – it’s a flavor explosion in every bite! Unlike pricy restaurant versions, this homemade delight is incredibly budget-friendly, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-level meal without breaking the bank. The combination of the savory salmon, the sweet and spicy sauce, and the fresh, crunchy toppings creates a perfectly balanced and satisfying dish.
These bowls offer a fantastic alternative to typical stir-fries or pasta dishes, bringing a restaurant-quality dining experience right to your kitchen table. They’re perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or even a fun, casual weekend meal that everyone will rave about. Don’t hesitate to whip up this easy yet impressive recipe; your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
For optimal freshness, it’s best to store any leftover Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls components separately. Store cooked rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Any uneaten prepared bang bang sauce and cooked salmon bites can also be stored together in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s recommended to keep the fresh vegetable toppings separate and refrigerated as well, as they are best enjoyed fresh.
To reheat, gently warm the salmon and sauce mixture in a skillet over low heat, or in the microwave on a low setting, being careful not to overcook the salmon and make it dry. Warm the rice separately. Assemble your bowls with the reheated components and fresh toppings for the best texture and flavor experience. Freezing is not generally recommended for this dish, as the texture of the salmon and sauce can be compromised upon thawing.
Final Thoughts
These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls are a true weeknight wonder, offering incredible flavor and satisfaction with minimal effort. Give them a try for a delicious and easy meal that will become a fast favorite in your household.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bite Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the salmon bite-sized pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving a crispy exterior. Place the salmon in a medium bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to ensure each piece is lightly coated.1.5 lbs salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, 1 tablespoon olive oil, to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Heat a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook the salmon in batches. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork, but still remain moist inside. Remove the cooked salmon from the pan and set aside.1.5 lbs salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- While the salmon is cooking or immediately after, prepare the bang bang sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey or maple syrup, rice vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the sriracha for your desired level of heat, or the honey for sweetness.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar), 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Add the cooked salmon pieces back into the bowl with the bang bang sauce. Gently toss to coat each piece of salmon thoroughly in the creamy, spicy sauce.1.5 lbs salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Divide the cooked rice evenly among your serving bowls. Arrange the shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced cucumber over the rice. This creates a vibrant and healthy base.2 cups cooked rice (sushi rice, brown rice, or white rice), 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- Spoon the saucy, crispy bang bang salmon bites generously over the fresh vegetables and rice in each bowl.1.5 lbs salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 cups cooked rice (sushi rice, brown rice, or white rice), 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- Sprinkle the bowls with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and a good pinch of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra zesty finish.1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 green onions, thinly sliced, toasted sesame seeds, for garnish, lime wedges, for serving